…for The Unicorn Challenge which is hosted by Jenne Gray and C.E.Ayr.
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‘Are we there yet?’
I was driving fast, too fast. It had been a stressful day and I longed to get home, put my feet up and unwind.
‘Daddy, are we there yet?’
It was pitch black. My car’s headlights sent quivering shafts of light into the darkness, its tyres protesting as I swerved this way and that along the endless winding road.
Raindrops hammered on the windshield, and sudden gusts of wind threw me to the left and then right as I fought to stay on track.
‘Are we there yet?‘
As I shot through a tunnel of swaying trees a wayward bird flew straight towards me. Instinctively I hit the brakes and my head slammed against the side window as the car spun to a halt.
‘Are we there yet? Daddy, are we there yet?’
‘Shut up’ I yelled as I turned around.
I found myself gazing at an empty seat. My head dropped into my hands. What the hell was happening to me?
I reached for my phone and scanned through the pictures, stopping at the one of our little girl, the one I’d taken hours before we lost her that fateful day. It had been my fault, I was to blame. I’d been driving recklessly.
A tear trickled down my cheek.
‘Are we there yet?’ whispered a voice in my ear. ‘Daddy, are we there yet?’
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© Ayr/Gray
That’s two dark stories in a row. Normal service will be resumed shortly, I promise!
Thanks for sharing this idea..I should try to find this Unicorn Challenge. Anita
I hope you do, Anita, just click on the words The Unicorn Challenge at the top and you’ll find yourself there!
Thanks Keith 😊
Hi, Anita, you’d be very welcome to join the challenge. There’s a post every Friday morning on my blog: https://talesfromglasgow137065088.wordpress.com/ Just click on the heading Blog and you’ll find the prompt. We’d love to see you there. Any friend of Keith’s is a friend of ours. Jenne
Thanks. I am traveling for a couple of weeks. Thanks again.
Heartbreaking
Yes.Thanks, Beth.
A sorrow that cuts so deep…I can not imagine the pain of that tear.
Nor me, Suzette.
Quite a tale — and a unique interpretation of the prompt.
Thanks, Christine. I ignored the streetlamps in the photo!
Heartbreaking, Keith.
I can’t think of anything worse.
And you tell the story so simply – the father’s pain is tangible.
I think this is up there among your best stories.
Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks so much for your generous words Jenne, they are really appreciated
Such a sad story. Beautifully told but too sad. Looking forward to a happy or funny one next.
There’s one lurking around the corner Patricia!
Hope it comes out of hiding soon.
This one is especially tragic
Sadly so, Sadje.
🥺
Dude!
A serial compound Six-icorn …retrograde
Ayiiee! Way to turn your back to crowd and play lead with your teeth!*
* compliment, of course
I am reading and wondering how you managed two dreadful stories back to back. Glad to know you are returning to lighter thoughts. I hope.
Oh my! So deep and moving, can barely respond. 😢
Soon into your story, I started getting those feelings that something bad was going to happen. Never did I imagine what profundity and poignancy awaited me in this heartbreaking piece. Masterfully done, Keith!
What a sad tale 😞
It’s a good story. It’s a true story for too many. Why shouldn’t we write sad stories? Life is not always happy.
(oh, just thoughts going through my mind)
I wonder why you did not record this one? Your audio expressions are so funny. Do you have a sad sound?
It’s a loss you never get over. Fabulously told.
Heartbreaking tale, very well told. 💞💞💞